As Americans, and especially Californians, a lot of us love fast cars. But what happens when the speeds of our cars surpass the safety training of the average driver? Let’s take a look at understanding what the Hellcat trend includes, how it could impact you as a driver on the road, and why it can be a good idea to be extra wary if you see a Hellcat driving erratically in your vicinity.
What is a Hellcat?
The Hellcat is a very powerful engine released by Dodge. Currently, it is only offered in Dodge Challengers and Dodge Chargers. They are marked with a Hellcat emblem, which is a silver screaming wildcat found by the driver’s side front wheel.
The engine is a supercharged 6.2 Hemi engine. It has 707 horsepower and it produces 650 lb-ft of torque. It is capable of speeds over 200 miles per hour. As an engineer on the newest version explained, “Hellcat-equipped SRT8s have two power modes…”street and kill.” Street mode is just a little more powerful than the normal SRT. Kill mode, as I call it, is just clinically insane.”
Dodge knows who their audience is, as you can tell from the marketing style. The “kill” and “street” modes discussed above are “activated by choosing one’s key fob: the black fob limits the engine to 500 hp, while the red one taps the engine’s full potential of 707 horsepower.”
So, in its essence, the Hellcat is a Charger or Challenger that is offered with a supercharged engine capable of going very, very fast. And the popularity they are enjoying right now is a reflection of our modern interest in American muscle cars, raw power and unchecked speeds.
Why is it dangerous?
You would hope that anyone purchasing or, at the very least, driving a Hellcat would know about speed and power. And that they would know how to be responsible. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The Hellcats attract car and engine aficionados and lovers of all kinds. But, they also attract a reckless and inexperienced element from a younger population.
There are people who are attracted to the idea of the car, but these people do not always know how to control such a wild ride. Besides ignorance, there is also willful defiance of safety laws. For example, there is an online trend of reckless driving in Hellcats at intersections, where the driver performs a wide circle through the area. In the time between the changing of the lights. There are other such stunts becoming popular too, those that range from the disruptive to the outright dangerous. You can leave someone in the dust in this car, and some people can’t resist playing with that power.’
One such dangerous driver just proved the need for safe driving at a local car event in Colorado. He was showing off the car’s power and ended up driving into a truck, which is just one of many similar accidents.
blogs
Common Causes of Car Accidents – and Ways to Avoid Them
Car accidents are an increasingly common source of injuries and loss of property and life. Every year, there are estimated to be over six million car accidents, in the US alone. We drive everywhere, and even short distances pose a hazard to drivers, as well as pedestrians and people on bicycles. The loss of property […]
Five Products for Increased Pedestrian Safety
While pedestrians typically have the right of way in most places, that doesn’t automatically make everyone around you a better or safer driver. As pedestrians, we have to activelypractice safety in order to make sure that we are the ones most responsible for our personal safety. Staying aware of our surroundings is always step number […]
Cell Phones and Accidents on the Road
We have all done it. Even with the headsets, the hands-free devices, and the ability to connect your phone to your car, all of us have reached for the phone while driving. Whether it’s checking a quick text at a stoplight or messing around with your maps app while driving in a new place, the […]
Winter Rideshare Safety Tips
Winter driving is no joke in general. Everyone needs to slow down and be sure to take the proper winter driving precautions, but if you drive a rideshare, your point-to-point driving makes you more vulnerable to getting in an accident than if you were simply driving to and from work. Add to this the dangers […]
Top Three Scenic Motorcycle Routes in California
California is among the most beautiful destinations in the country. The raw beauty of our state is part of the reasons why myriads of people move here every day. From miles of pristine beaches, breathtaking lakes, picturesque deserts, to rugged but awe-inspiring terrains like Yosemite, the geographic diversity of the Golden State is simply mesmerizing. […]
Dog Bites: Your Dog and Compensation Law
Many people who experience severe injuries from dog bites usually wonder whether it is worth the hustle to pursue legal redress. Most fear they are a small minority and decide to suffer in silence. However, the truth is that dog bites are shockingly common and are among the most frequent types of personal injury lawsuits. […]
Ridesharing Services May Help Lower Drunk Driving Accidents
Research has been done in Chicago showing a correlation between ridesharing and drunk driving incidents. The study looks at the relationship between rideshare participants on the road and accidents over about a year’s time. It is no secret that drunk driving leads to catastrophic damages and injury on a regular basis in America. If you […]
Safety and Defensive Driving Tips for Truck Drivers
The old saying goes, the best offense is a good defense. According to research, accidents caused by big rigs or the 18-wheelers have increased by 52% since 2009. Safe and defensive driving involves saving lives, time, and money regardless of the conditions around you or other road users. Defensive driving for truck drivers goes beyond […]
Courtroom Movies for the Holidays
As winter sets in, the holiday season has truly begun. Many of us are looking forward to seeing our loved ones, some of us for the first time in a long time. Besides feasts and fireside chats, a lot of families have a tradition of gathering together and watching a holiday classic. Through the years, […]
Car Crashes and Pedestrians in LA
Every year, we check over grim statistics about car accidents, fatalities, damages, and injuries. We always hope that the number will go down, that we will have learned something from the previous years. Unfortunately, though, that is not always the case. But that doesn’t mean that it is not worth it to try. Just knowing […]
contact form
